Maricopa County approves polling locations for upcoming election

To reduce wait times and improve the voter experience, the Maricopa County Elections Department is more than tripling the number of voting locations for the March 17 Democratic Presidential …

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To reduce wait times and improve the voter experience, the Maricopa County Elections Department is more than tripling the number of voting locations for the March 17 Democratic Presidential Preference Election.

On Election Day, voters will have 229 voting locations, including 40 locations that will serve as vote anywhere locations. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved the full list of locations Monday, Feb. 10.

“My number one priority during my term as Chairman is to run great elections. This Board, in partnership with the Recorder, is putting the resources into making sure we do right by voters,” stated Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Clint Hickman, District 4. “Today we approved 229 voting locations for the March 17th Presidential Preference Election, more than tripling the 2016 number. I would like to thank the Elections Department for their hard work and planning to ensure we are successful, as well as county staff who answered my call to volunteer their time in service of best-in-class elections.”

The Elections Department reviewed historic turnout models, mapped voting patterns and worked with community partners to increase polling locations from 60 in 2016 to 229 this election, according to a release.

In addition to increased polling locations, under a new joint management structure with the Board of Supervisors and Recorder Adrian Fontes, the Elections Department has purchased new tabulation equipment, nearly doubled the amount of full-time staff and invested in a voter education campaign: BeBallotReady.vote.

The Presidential Preference Election is the voter’s chance to select their party’s nominee for President of the United States. Unlike Arizona’s traditional primaries, the Presidential Preference Election is not an open primary. Only the Democratic Party has chosen to participate in the election on March 17.

Only Democrats registered by Feb. 18 are eligible to vote in this election. The Republican and Libertarian parties opted out of this election. Those registered without a party, commonly referred to as independents, are not eligible.

Monday also marked the voter registration deadline for the Tempe and Chandler all-mail election on March 10. All Tempe and Chandler voters registered by today are eligible. Voters can verify their registration status at BeBallotReady.vote and register to vote at ServiceArizona.com before midnight or in person at the Maricopa County Recorder's Office or a Maricopa County Elections Department location before 5 p.m. Feb. 10.

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